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Heritage: Babe Ruth was a hit in visit to Salem

Andy Zimmerman, SJ Time Capsule
Published 9:02 p.m. PT Dec. 20, 2017

Babe Ruth is shown as he takes a swing during one of the many demonstrations he gave during a preseason baseball school he ran for young boys in the 1930s in Palatka, Florida.(Photo: Putnam County Archives)

More than nine decades ago as Christmas neared, Salem was buzzing about a special guest. Not Santa Claus, but another figure who captured the imagination: Babe Ruth.

One of the most famous baseball players of all time was scheduled to make a two-day stop Dec. 20-21, 1926, in Salem at the Capitol Theatre as part of a Vaudeville show.

“The Babe is not only the greatest baseball player that ever lived, but he is also said to be something of an actor. He puts on a monologue, tells who he thinks will win the 1927 American league pennant and also gives a few sidelights on how to knock home runs by the dozen,” the Oregon Statesman reported Dec. 17, 1926.

Ruth was coming off a season with the New York Yankees in which he hit 47 home runs, had 184 hits and had a .372 batting average. He held Major League Baseball’s record for most career home runs (714) when he finished playing in 1935.

Although the big draw on the bill was Ruth, the show also offered patrons a variety of entertainment. “ ‘Boot Villa,’ an act with a kick in it, introducing the widow foot with her five toes, who perform for you fast tumbling, knockabout acrobatics with a golden vein of comedy running throughout. Bishop and McKenzie, the well-known comedians, presenting their unique comedy skit entitled: ‘In Front and Behind’ which is one continuous laugh. Miss Weston is a well known vaudeville comedienne and her character songs are presented in a manner all her own, interspersed with a breezy line of chatter that is a veritable gale of laughter,” the Dec. 20, 1926, Capital Journal wrote.

An Oregon Statesman story from Dec. 17, 1926, discusses Babe Ruth’s impending visit to Salem.(Photo: Special to the Statesman Journal)

The Capital Journal and the Oregon Statesman each found ways to get more boys to see the “Sultan of Swat” in person. The Journal sponsored afternoon matinees at the Capitol Theatre for 10 cents and a coupon from the newspaper. The Statesman sponsored an essay writing contest about sportsmanship. The winner of the 100-word essay got a bat and signed baseball from Ruth. The Yankees’ star reportedly judged the essays with the help of Salem High School English teacher Ada Ross. The winner was Salem’s Jack McCullough.

Salem stores reportedly had autographed baseballs for sale, and Ruth gave out more himself at his performances at the Capitol Theatre.

When Ruth wasn’t on stage for the four daily performances, he spent time throughout the city. He was taken on a tour by Capitol Theatre owner Frank Bligh. He visited students at the Oregon School for the Blind as well as the Oregon School for the Deaf in addition to Chemawa Indian School. Ruth also stopped by the boys training school. He also planned to play golf at Illahe Country Club.

“The mighty batsmen is an easy man to meet, and he immediately puts the stranger at ease,” the Capital Journal wrote.

Hundreds of Mid-Valley residents were able to see Ruth up close at his performances at the Capitol Theatre and around Salem. A few people, though, had unique stories of their encounters with the Babe.

Salem’s Richard Baker, 14, was persistent and got a signed photo of Babe Ruth.

“Richard insisted on seeing Babe Ruth one night when he was here. He wasn’t satisfied with just a glimpse, he wanted to see him, look him over, and even feel of him, if that high estate were possible to achieve. So he went to Frank Bligh with his troubles, and Frank saw that Richard got back to Babe’s dressing room. A chat and the photograph followed,” the Capital Journal wrote.

A person involved with the Salvation Army, an Ensign Pitt, was given an autographed baseball. The Oregon Statesman said he was a big baseball fan and was from New York, where Ruth played at the time. Pitt shared that information with Ruth, and the baseball player gave him the gift.

Countless baseball fans in Salem saw the most famous baseball player at the time. Many likely saved mementos from Ruth’s visit, and some received autographs. Who knows, maybe there is a signed baseball or bat forgotten in a Salem attic?

Andy Zimmerman is a former Statesman Journal copy editor who writes a column about local history twice per month. You can contact him with comments or suggestions for future stories at SJTimeCapsule@gmail.com.